Bridgewater, NJ – The Wagner football team has been selected to finish fifth in the 2025 Northeast Conference (NEC) Football Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon. Four Seahawks—juniors
Teree McDonald and
Logan Barnes, along with seniors
Brady Anderson and
Jordan Johnson—were also recognized on the 2025 All-NEC Preseason Team.
This marks Wagner's highest preseason poll placement since 2020.
Defending NEC champion Central Connecticut State claimed the top spot with five first-place votes. Duquesne, the 2024 runner-up, was picked second with two first-place votes, while Robert Morris and LIU tied for third. Robert Morris also secured one first-place vote. Rounding out the poll were Saint Francis U, Mercyhurst, and Stonehill.
The NEC also unveiled its 29-member Preseason All-Conference Team, comprised of 13 offensive players, 13 defensive players, and three special teams standouts. Wagner landed four selections—two on each side of the ball.
On offense, senior offensive lineman Brady Anderson returns after starting all 12 games at center last season. A two-time Phil Steele All-NEC Preseason honoree, the Sparta, NJ native helped anchor a unit that led running back Rickey Spruill to over 600 rushing yards and pushed his career total past the 2,000-yard mark.
Joining him on the offensive list is junior wide receiver Teree McDonald, who played in all 12 games in 2024, recording 26 receptions for 309 yards and five touchdowns. The Montreal, Quebec product's season was highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown catch at Duquesne and scores against Virginia-Lynchburg, Delaware State, Robert Morris, and LIU.
Defensively, senior linebacker Jordan Johnson posted 51 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks across 12 games last season. The Detroit, MI native also notched an interception at Delaware State and forced a fumble in the win over Robert Morris.
Junior defensive lineman Logan Barnes appeared in 11 games, totaling 39 tackles, including 13 solo, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. The Staten Island native recorded 1.5 tackles for loss in games against Columbia, Saint Francis U, and LIU, and had a season-best 1.5 sacks in Wagner's win over Saint Francis U.
The Seahawks open the 2025 campaign on Friday, August 29, with a road matchup at Big 12 opponent Kansas. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM ET. Following five non-conference games, Wagner begins NEC play on Saturday, October 11, hosting Mercyhurst at 12:00 PM ET on Hameline Field.
2025 Predicted Order-of-Finish
1. Central Connecticut (5)
2. Duquesne (2)
3. Robert Morris (1)
LIU
5. Wagner
6. Saint Francis U
7. Mercyhurst
8. Stonehill
* First-place votes in parentheses ( ).
2025 Season Tickets
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by contacting the Wagner Athletics Box Office at (718) 420-4008 or emailing athletics.tickets@wagner.edu. Information on single-game ticket sales will be released at a later date.
